Can We Restore the Marches in Iraq (Garden of Eden)?

A critical assessment of the feasibility of restoring Iraq's marshes, once spanning 15,000 to 20,000 square kilometers, reveals that despite political shifts and a renewed focus on restoration after 2003, significant water scarcity—driven by upstream dam construction and climate change—poses substantial challenges. The study suggests that with a prudent water resources strategy, the remaining 75% of the marshes could be restored, requiring approximately 13 billion cubic kilometers of water. This analysis highlights the delicate balance between ecological restoration and resource management in this biodiversity-rich region, often referred to as the 'Garden of Eden.'

Al-Ansari, N. (2020). Can We Restore the Marches in Iraq (Garden of Eden)? Engineering, 12(07), 466–486. https://doi.org/10.4236/eng.2020.127033